New titles just published

Faith during the Great War, questioning the 95 Theses, an introduction to ecumenism, the prayers of Christ, and biblical artwork are among the topics explored in the latest books just released

Faith in Conflict: The impact of the Great War on the faith of the people of Britain by Stuart Bell (Helion, £25 (£22.50); 978-1-911512-67-7).

“Stuart Bell examines a wide range of published and archival sources to explore how the war affected the beliefs of the churchgoers of wartime Britain, as well as the majority who rarely attended church, but who believed in God and in the afterlife. The language which they heard from the pulpits and the hymns that they sang expressed a variety of responses. Undergirding everything was a firm belief that God was on the side of Britain - a nation divinely chosen to ensure the triumph of right over military might.”

1517: Martin Luther and the invention of the Reformation by Peter Marshall (OUP, £16.99 (£15.30); 978-0-19-968201-0).

“Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517 is one of the most famous events of Western history. It inaugurated the Protestant Reformation, and has for centuries been a powerful and enduring symbol of religious freedom of conscience, and of righteous protest against the abuse of power. But did it actually really happen? In this engagingly-written, wide-ranging and insightful work of cultural history, leading Reformation historian Peter Marshall reviews the available evidence, and concludes that, very probably, it did not.”

Ecumenism: A guide for the perplexed by R. David Nelson and Charles Raith (Bloomsbury, £16.99 (£15.30); 978-0-567-57346-9).

“Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed is a comprehensive introduction to the methods, achievements, and future prospects of the modern ecumenical movement. The authors begin the volume by charting out a serviceable definition of ecumenism, a term that has long been a source of confusion for students of theology and church history. They review the chronology of the modern ecumenical movement and highlight the major events, figures, accomplishments, and impasses.”

“This volume investigates his prayers in their literary and socio-historical context, and points to their theological significance and relevance for today. Laszlo Gallusz hopes that this work will not only provide a fresh biblical perspective on the prayers of Jesus but also become a source of inspiration for our own prayer lives.”

More than Words: A collection of paintings and reflections by Hannah Dunnett (Monarch, £12.99 (£11.70); 978-0-85721-793-6).

“Hannah Dunnett's beautiful artwork, interweaving Bible verses and images, has inspired many people. From sailing boats bobbing on the river and lighthouses standing tall, to majestic trees and soaring mountains, to welcoming cottages and cosy kitchens, Hannah paints pictures that help us understand scripture and reflect on God's word in a fresh way. In this book, Hannah has chosen twenty-four of her favourite pictures and tells the story behind each one. As she draws out key verses and their meaning and offers questions to reflect on, readers will gain new insight and understanding.”

Selected by Frank Nugent, of the Church House Bookshop, which operates the Church Times Bookshop.